| The National Assessment of Adult Literacy (I. S. Kirsch, A. Jungeblut, L. Jenkins, & A. Kolstad, 1993, Adult Literacy in America: A First Look at the Results of the National Adult Literacy Survey [NALS]) reports that only 12% of adults are proficient in health literacy and nearly 9 out of 10 adults may lack the skills needed to manage their health and prevent disease. There is a national effort to promote, maintain, and enhance health knowledge, literacy, and skills through education in schools. This research study explores the extent to which Connecticut public schools are succeeding in addressing the nation's health literacy goals to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. The research optimistically considers the importance of aligning National Health Education Standards (NHES) to the State Education Curriculum Standards, and explores the value of the Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) as endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The research also takes into account the State of Connecticut's preparation of materials, teacher training instruction, and implementation of health education as they pertain to the state's curriculum framework and national health standards. Five educators who teach health in the State of Connecticut were invited to participate in this research study. The procedure to acquire research data began in the form of a questionnaire based on a comprehensive school health profile and was followed by an interview with the health educators. During the interview, participants had the opportunity to offer comments and insights based on the structured questions, and to introduce related issues of their own. The study shows there is a firm understanding of and commitment to the promotion of health literacy in Connecticut schools, and that dedicated health educators are working earnestly to achieve this goal. |
